Read More+1847 Louis-Francois Cartier founded the legendary maison, by taking ownership of his master’s Parisian jewellery workshop. 1899 Louis Cartier moves the brand’s headquarters to Rue de la Paix. The brand will remain at this address until the present day. 1904 The first Cartier wristwatch is created. Louis Cartier develops the Santos for his friend Alberto Santos-Dumont, a Brazilian flying legend. Santos-Dumont complains that pocket watches are unreliable and dangerous to use while flying, so Louis makes him a wristwatch with a square face and flat profile founded in Paris, France in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier, the company remained under family control until 1964. The company maintains its headquarters in Paris and is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Compagnie Financière Richemont SA.

Key Dates In The History Of Cartier

1874 Louis-Francois’ son Alfred assumes control of the brand. His three sons Louis, Jacques, and Pierre will create the Cartier image we know today. 1888 Cartier creates the first ladies’ bracelet watch.

1899 Louis Cartier moves the brand’s headquarters to Rue de la Paix. The brand will remain at this address until the present day.

1904 The first Cartier wristwatch is created. Louis Cartier develops the Santos for his friend Alberto Santos-Dumont, a Brazilian flying legend. Santos-Dumont complains that pocket watches are unreliable and dangerous to use while flying, so Louis makes him a wristwatch with a square face and flat profile.

1907 Cartier signs an agreement giving Edmond Jaeger exclusive rights to supply the brand’s watch movements. It is the first step in a history that will see Cartier watches utilising movements from all the top maisons de haute horlogerie: Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Audemars Piguet and Movado. The brand now has offices in New York, St Petersburg and London. 1912 Cartier introduces its Tortue and Baignoire watches.

1914 The Cartier panther is born on a ladies’ watch. The image is created from paved diamonds and onyxes.

1917 Another legendary luxury watch is created: the Tank, designed by Louis Cartier after seeing Renault tanks in action on the Western Front. The Tank will go on to become Cartier’s signature model, worn by some of the most famous women in history. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Princess Diana and Angelina Jolie will all become fans of this piece.